Village news February 19

A low full moon in Grafton Street, Kettering. Picture by Glyn Dobbs

Published:10:00Thursday 19 February 2015

What’s going on where you live

BRIGSTOCK

The Morning Service in Brigstock URC on Sunday 22nd February at 10.30am will be a LIFT service. LIFT stands for “Living in Faith Today” and will be a service for all ages, conducted by members of the congregation. Four of these services will be held throughout the year. They will be very informal and everyone is welcome to attend.

Bacon rolls and a hot drink for £2 will be available in the June Small room between 9am and 10am so why not come along for a breakfast snack before the service.

A Quiz Night, organised by the Friends of Brigstock Country Park, will be held in the Green Dragon on Thursday 26th February at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £3.50 including a chilli supper. For more details or tickets call Pete on 01536 373478.

Brigstock Sunnysiders will enjoy a fish and chips lunch and a raffle at their next meeting in the lounge at Harper’s Court on Tuesday 24th February, starting at 1pm.

A Parish Eucharist will be celebrated at St Andrew’s Church, Brigstock on Sunday 22nd February at 9.30am.

The next film night in the village hall will be on Friday 20th February at 7.30pm. The main feature will be “Nebraska” (15), a road movie starring Bruce Dern. Entrance is £4 on the door and refreshments will be available.

The next meeting of Brigstock Historical Society will be on Wednesday 25th February at 7.30pm in the village hall. The speaker will be Roger Scanlon who will give a talk on the “History of Thatching”. This should be an informative and entertaining talk with many tales and anecdotes on the life of a thatcher. Guests and visitors are welcome at £2 for the evening.

Brigstock URC will have an Easter Coffee Morning on 1st March and are starting to collect tombola and raffle prizes. If you have any donations for these stalls please contact Sheila Smith on 01536 373225.

The results of the Brigstock WI 200 club draw for February were 1st Vera Shillaker, No 40, 2nd Peter Stephens No 20 and 3rd Richard Andrews No 11.

Everyone is welcome to come along to enjoy an evening of ballroom, latin and sequence dancing in Brigstock Village Hall on Friday 27th February from 8pm till 11pm. Entrance is £4.

Tea and coffee available at the interval but please bring your own drinks and glasses. For further details call Dave or Joan on 07718519480 or e-mail guido@derosa.me.uk

A Quiz Night with a sausage and chips supper will be held in the Green Dragon on Friday 13th March at 7.30pm with teams up to six people. Tickets, which cost £5, can be purchased at the Green Dragon or by calling 01536 373712 or 07809 025017. Funds raised by this event will go to Brigstock URC for maintenance of the church.

Learn to make a floral basket arrangement in Brigstock Village Hall on Friday 13th March, starting at 8 pm. The cost is £20 including all materials. A bar will be available. Call Sam Read on 07766573400 for more details or to book a place.

BURTON LATIMER

Men’s Breakfast will be served in the Assembly Room, Meeting Lane, at 8am on Saturday. The speaker this month will be Mr. Ted Scarfe from Kettering. All gentlemen are invited to come along and share in a good breakfast and a time of fellowship. Please let Derek (01536 722328) or Stephen (01536 722172) know by today, Thursday 19th if you are able to come along.

A Coffee Drop In will be held from 10am – 12 noon on Saturday at the Methodist Church, Piggott’s Lane entrance. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served, and a lot of friendly chat. All proceeds to ‘Action for Children’.

The Friends of Burton Latimer Library have invited John Meads to give a talk on Sunday, from 1.30pm – 3.30pm entitled ‘Burton Latimer and World War 1’. Tickets cost £4 each and are available from the library. Booking is essential – telephone the library (0300 126 1000) or email burtlib@northamptonshire.gov.uk to reserve your place.

Women’s Fellowship will meet at 2.30pm in the Chapter House of St Mary’s Church on Tuesday, February 24th for their Annual General Meeting.

Burton Latimer Town Council Planning Committee meeting will take place in the Civic Centre at 7pm next Thursday, February 26th. Members of the public are welcome to attend

Kettering Citadel Band of the Salvation Army will be performing a concert at St Mary’s Church on Saturday, February 28th starting at 7pm. Tickets priced at £6.50 (£3 for children) are now available from Helen (01536 722901) or Sue (01536 357676). Tea and coffee will be served. All proceeds go to church funds.

Services at St Mary’s Church on Sunday are

8am Holy Communion

10am Parish Eucharist with crèche

10am Young Disciples

Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9.30am on Tuesday

St Mary’s Under Fives will meet in the Chapter House at 10.30am on Tuesday

Services at the Baptist Church on Sunday are

10.45am Morning Worship

10.45am Junior Church with crèche

6p Evening Worship

The service at the Methodist Church on Sunday is at 10.45am.

CALDECOTT

The president of the Women’s Institute, Jenny Betts, welcomed 25 members and 2 visitors to the February meeting and introduced the guest speaker, Scott Gallacher. Scott who is a chartered financial planner gave an interesting and informative talk about preparing for old age, with emphasis on perhaps having to pay for care, especially now that people are living longer. He was thanked by Dorothy Wright who also organised the evening’s raffle which was won by Heather Greaves. Heather also came first in the monthly competition for a treasured possession with runners up Betty Owens and Rene Wells. Birthday posies were presented to Dorothy Wright and Edyth Fisher with birthday cake for the latter who was celebrating her birthday at the meeting. This was supplied for all to enjoy by hostesses Anthea Hill and Rene Wells. To round off the evening a quiz with a Family Fortunes theme was set by Jenny McIntyre with the winning team comprising Frances, Maggie, Georgina, Janet and June. Visitors are welcome at the next meeting on March 5th when John Budulis will give advice on Personal Safety for Women Drivers.

Mary Davidson, churchwarden of St John’s Church, is hoping that residents will respond to her request for helpers to keep the church running smoothly. If anyone feels they might volunteer their services in helping with flower arranging or cleaning this would be greatly appreciated and names can be given to Mary on 770242. There is a rota so the more people to add their names the less often help would be needed.

Further to the above Mary has made it known that there is a quantity of compost in the churchyard useful for gardens and allotments. This is free, just let Mary know.

Advance notice: Back for an incredible fourth year ‘Quiz with Everything’ in the village hall on Saturday, February 28th at 7pm, individuals or teams of up to six people. Tickets are £8 per person which includes a fish and chip supper, tea and coffee are available, but please bring any other drinks. Further details and tickets from June on 01536 770046 or Anthea & Jake on 01536 770463.

The popular progressive whist drive will take place on Saturday, February 21st at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Rosalind Williats will give a talk on Nevil Holt at the History Society meeting on Wednesday, February 18th at 7.30pm in the village hall. Visitors are welcome

CRANFORD

The Cranford and District Over 60s meet on Tuesday at 1.30pm in the Village Hall. The speaker will be Sandra Bailey on the History of Burghley House.

On Friday February 27th the Old Forge at Cranford are hosting a ‘Scottish Folk Night” For more information please contact Rob on 01536 330014

Holy Communion will be celebrated at Twywell at 9.15am and at Cranford St John’s at 11.00am. Morning prayer will be celebrated at Grafton Underwood at 11.00am

DENFORD

Sunday 22nd February 2015 is the First Sunday of Lent and in Holy Trinity Church in Denford there is a Service of Holy Communion at 11.00am. Refreshments are served after the Service.

DESBOROUGH

The Desborough and Rothwell Photographic Society began its 2015 competition season with the first heats for projected digital images and for slides on Friday, February 6. The judge was Gerry Coles from Duston, and his selected winning images, all gaining the maximum 20 points, are as listed: For Novice DPI was Andrew Moss with “Fallow Me My Dear”. For Intermediate DPI was Dorothy Rudkin with “Delicate Detail” and “This Way To Watendlath”. For Advanced DPI was Rick Yeomans with “Pointe Shoes” and for Slide was Peter Butlin with “20”. Chairman Geoff Oliver thanked Gerry for his excellent informative and constructive judging.

Due to a burst of water on the main road, High Street in Desborough was closed from Friday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 10. This caused lots of disruptions to the local transportation in Desborough. Especially for Bus 19 Service, seriously was affected. Bus stops were out of use, causing a change of route, diversions and no one knowing where to catch a bus. Causing long delays and aggravation.

Join St Giles Community Centre at 5pm on the first Friday of the month for messy arts and crafts, stories, action songs, followed by a family meal. Friday Family Fun start from Friday, February 6; Friday, March 6; Friday, April 3; Friday, May 1; Friday, June 5 and Friday, July 3 with a picnic. Everyone are welcome.

It was National Libraries Day on Saturday, February 7 at Desborough Library. To celebrate this day, lots of fun activities were held from 10am to 2pm, such as children’s colouring competition, adult fiction book sale, a Baby and Toddler play and learn session. It was an opportunity to tell the Library what you think of the service and share any ideas you have about your local library. You still can, pop by your local Desborough library and fill out a paper heart and give in your suggestions and comments. Keep calm and conjure a patronus charm on Friday, February 20, as it is Harry Potter Day at Desborough Library. Come dressed as your favourite wizard or witch. No booking is required. All under 8 years must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for 5 years to 12 year old, from 10.30am to 11.30am. Come and share the magic with fun story time, and Harry Potter themed games. Muggles are welcome.

A local Desborough resident and Customer Service Assistant, Doreen Bindley, is the latest recruit to Central England Co-operative’s apprenticeship programme, proving that age is no barrier when it comes to learning. At the age of 76, Doreen is seizing the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification. Julian Jones, Managing Director of Adaptive Business Support, who works alongside Central England Co-operative supporting its apprentice programme, said “Doreen is absolute proof that apprenticeships are for everyone and that learning is fun, hugely satisfying and beneficial for individuals and employers. She has unknowingly encouraged many other people into joining the apprenticeship programme.”

Loatlands Primary School are looking for people to make a difference. If you are interested in joining their hard working team of governors, please contact chair@loatlandsprimary.net You can follow the school on Twitter @loatlandspri or visit the website: www.loatlandsprimary.net

Tonight, on Thursday, February 19, is the Desborough Town Council meeting at the Desborough Library. All meetings will commence at 7pm and are open to the public.

Save a life and give blood on Friday, February 20 at the Anglican and Methodist Church Community Centre in Desborough. There are two sessions. The first session is at 1.15pm to 3.30pm and the second session is at 4.30pm to 7.30pm. To book your appointment please visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.

Marlow House on Gold Street in Desborough, next monthly coffee morning is on Saturday, February 21, from 9.30am to 11.30 am. It is free entry. There will be fabulous breakfasts and home made cakes available. Come and make new friends and support your local community day centre. There are lots of things to browse and buy too. Also, on Friday, March 6, is the Marlow House’s Quiz Night. Starting from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6.50 to include chicken and chips (cooked in-house) or vegetarian option. Bring your own tipple. Tickets sell quickly, but latest date to pay and order food for catering purposes is Monday, March 2. For more information, please telephone 01536 762329.

Desborough Town Football Club’s Waterworks Field ground is expected to host its largest crowd for thirty four years when “Ar Tarn” entertain AFC Rushden and Diamonds in the Premier Division of the Chroma Sport and Trophies United Counties League, Premier Division, on Saturday, February 21, afternoon. AFC Rushden and Diamonds are expected to bring a considerable following of supporters with them to the game and Desborough Town officials are hoping that their fans will also turn out in force for what is regarded as the club’s most attractive fixture of the season with Diamonds top of the table and aiming for promotion to the Southern League. Kick off on Saturday, February 21, is at the Waterworks Field is at 3pm.

Banqueting and Conference Suites at the Desborough Ritz on Station Road, is holding a Spring Wedding Show on Wednesday, February 25 at 7.30pm to 9.30pm. There will be a Bridal Show at 9pm. For more information, please call 01536 763510.

Desborough and Rothwell Trefoil Guild are holding a Beetle Drive with Bangers and Mash evening at Desborough Community Centre on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm. Proceeds will go towards helping local Rainbows Brownies and Guides. All are welcome. Tickets cost £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for children. You can obtain your tickets by phoning Elaine on 01536 710428 or Liz on 01536 760826.

FINEDON

St Mary’s Flower Festival Committee are holding a Jumble Sale in the Mission Room on Saturday 21 February between 10 and 12 noon. Please bring any jumble to the Mission Room between 9 and 9.30 on the day or contact 01933 398818 for collection.

Jonathon Reynolds in association with Theatreworks presents Curtain Up at the Star Hall in Laws Lane. This is a montage of songs from the musicals and much more with many of the area’s finest stage performers, on Saturday 28th February at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 (£6 for students/senior citizens). To book tickets, please call 07903 252451.

The February meeting of Finedon Local History Society will on Monday23rd February at 7-30pm in the Mission Room, Well Street Finedon.The speaker will be Charlotte Widgery talking on Wicksteed Park and the Lake Project. Admission is £2-50 for members and £3-50 for non- members the evening will be followed with light refreshments.

Charlotte has asked if any-one has photographs of the Park in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, or earlier especially of the play area with the big slides and swings, as the park has no photographs of this area. If any-one has any of these, could you please let a member of the society have them, thank-you.

Wellingborough Sugarcraft Guild is holding a CRAFT FAIR on March 21st in All Saints Church Hall, Wellingborough. If anyone would like a table to show and sell their craft, a 6ft table =£10, a 4ft table =£7, please contact 01933 680099 or wboro4scraft@gmail.com for more details.

GEDDINGTON

Northamptonshire Highways are advising that the National Grid are working forthree days on February 18th in West Street near the vicarage . On completion the Highways then hope to close the road for a week commencing Monday 23rd February to carry out surfacing repairs. So expect delays and closure in West Street between 9.15am and 3.00pm.

Geddington Church Coffee Morning is on Saturday 28th February between 10.00am and 12.00 noon. There will be tea or coffee with biscuits or cake and a chance to catch up with old friends. Second-hand books are for sale from 50p and Jigsaws can be ‘rented’ for a small sum.

The Samuel Lee Charity Memorial Lunch will be held on Sunday 1st March at Geddington Village Hall at 12.30 for 1.00pm.

Tickets, which will include a three course meal and coffee, will cost £17.50.

This is a principal fund-raising event for the Samuel Lees Trust, which, more than 300 years on from its foundation, it is still active today in providing help and support for residents in need and distributing Christmas gifts for older senior citizens .

An Auction Of Promises is taking place in Geddington Village Hall on Friday 20th March from 8.00pm. Tickets are £12.50 and include dinner and drinks. All money raised will buy books for Geddington School library.

Tickets can be bought from Geddington School Office .

Geddington Amateur Dramatic Society presents ‘Ladies Day’, a comedy by Amanda Whittington, on Wednesday 22nd April until Saturday 25th. Held in Geddington Village Hall, Adults are £7 with concessions £6.

May 16th is Geddington Garage Sale Day!! If you think that your house is too far to have a Garage Sale outside your abode, I have three (tongue in cheek) suggestions!

There are some really attractive houses for sale at the moment in Geddington.

Ask a friend if you can have a joint Garage Sale and split the money accordingly. No friends? It’s not too late to befriend someone who lives in an excellent spot; a bit cheeky!

Join the Parish Church, the Chapel or Castle Gardens and see if they have room. You can’t afford to miss the Garage Sale, the first and original one and the best!

Geddington PA is holding a Summer Fair/ Family Fun day on July 4th 2015. Please pop these dates in your diaries!

GREAT ADDINGTON

Are you feeling the winter blues and want to get fit and active?

Then come along and experience a fun 45 min Work-out like never before!

The event will be hosted by Personal trainer Jamie Houghton And all funds will help to raise money for the Lullaby Trust! Tickets £10 – Adults

Running alongside the boot camp will be a fun 45 minutes of games and sporting activities for the children too.

Tickets £5 – Children

Family Ticket 2 Adults & 2 Children £25 on Saturday 21st March

Starts At: 3pm at the Addington Playing Fields, Lower Street, Great Addington, NN14 4BL, followed by BBQ & Bar after at Great Addington Village Hall.

Sunday the 22nd February 2015 is the First Sunday in Lent and in All Saints Church, Great Addington, there is a Service of Holy Communion at 9.30am. Also there is a Service of Morning Prayer in St. Mary’s Church in Little Addington at 9.30am.

The Addingtons Pre-school is now open on Thursday afternoons, so we are now able to offer Mondays 8.45-12.15 and full school days of 8.45-3.15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For further information, please contact our Pre-school Manager on 07904 493169.

GREAT ADDINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL:

The School will re-open on Monday 23rd February 2015.

GRENDON

Sunday February 22nd 10.00am family service at St.Marys.

From now on morning prayer will be said at 9.30am each Wednesday with a Holy Communion on the first Wednesday of each month. For more info go to www.yardleyhastingsbenefice.org.uk

Wednesday coffee mornings held after the Communion service in the home of one of the parishioners, details on the church notice board.

The Parish Players present “Aladdin” at Denton Village Hall. Friday 6th March at 7.30pm, Saturday 7th March at 2.00 and 7.30pm, Sunday 8th March at 4.00pm. Tickets, adults £7, concessions and children £5, family 2+2 £20, available from Lisa 01604 890711, email lisa@211211.co.uk

If you haven’t been to Lent lunches before this is the year to give it a go! Enjoy a simple lunch of home made soup, cheese and bread then leave a donation to help organisations who assist the homeless and needy. Dates in calendar above.

Grendon is twinned with a small French village, Bois Bernard, in Northern France and a visit there is planned for May 2nd~4th this year. New families or couples would be very welcome to join the group and it’s a great way to stay with a French family to practice conversation and to see the countryside other than as a tourist. You don’t have to live in Grendon to join the group, so if you are interested contact Martine Marshman on 01933 664923 or email martymarshman@gmail.com

GRETTON

Gretton’s Matt Gillespie has raised over £500 in sponsorship money for Northamptonshire-based charity The Travers Foundation. On Saturday 7th February he took part in the 50-mile Ultra-Marathon along the Thames from Oxford to Henley. There was an 11-hour time limit, but Matt completed the mammoth course in an amazing 7 hours 54 minutes and came 45th out of over 300 runners.

Matt says:

The Travers Foundation helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts. For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation please visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk

Gretton Women’s Hour is a long standing village organisation meeting once a fortnight at Gretton Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Gretton. We welcome women from the village and surrounding area to an Open Meeting on Tuesday 24th February starting at 2.15pm. Come and find out more about GWH and join us to sing hymns, say prayers and enjoy refreshments and a chat amongst friends. We do hope you can join us and if you would like to know more before coming please call 01536 770188 or 770784.

Gretton WI this month was pleased to welcome back Kevin McGrath for another talk recounting his early life. He had been a young monk in the 1960s and again gave his reasons for leaving the Catholic Order. He then spoke of the next phase of his life as a Lay Missionary with the Catholic Church in a remote area of East Africa where he worked on building a school with members of the Ha Tribe. He became involved in the local community and once again found, in this very different environment, that poverty did not equal misery. However he did find once again that for him there seemed to be confrontation between the rules of the Catholic Church and the spirit of its religion, and this second talk ended with him telling that after two years he returned home to Ireland.

The Gretton Committee is always busy early in the year completing plans for the coming months and during Business a range of activities was discussed including Race Night in March, summer visits, the Centenary celebrations and the next Christmas party. The Gretton WI team is poised to defend its long-held ownership of the Village Quiz Prize, and we have been invited to Open Meetings in Ashley and to a range of events, outings and crafts available through the County Federation. Things are generally buzzing, but on a sad note a donation has been made to the WI Memorial Book in memory of Jessie Taylor, a member of the Gretton branch for fifty years.

Our next meeting will be on the second Tuesday in March and as ever new members are very welcome, but as it is Members Night we have yet to find out what is in store!!

The next Meeting of the Gretton Garden Group will be held on Wednesday, 25th February at 8.00pm in The Old Band Room of The Hatton Arms, Arnhill Road, Gretton. Our Guest Speaker will be Immunologist and Medical Herbalist Serene Foster to talk about herbs, their use in cooking & their medicinal properties, including the history and background of herbal medicine. A warm welcome is given to all members and visitors wishing to attend. With Spring we hope, just around the corner GGG committee members can answer your questions and offer tips and advice to help you get the best results whether you have a garden or just patio tubs and baskets. Please do join us. For any further enquiries please telephone Julie or Alan Waterman on 01536 772575.

HIGHAM FERRERS

Congratulations to Wendy King from Boston, Lincs, who won the Higham Tourism Christmas Quiz. This was compiled and organised by Pat Bird who would like to thank all who took part. The correct quiz answers are displayed on the town noticeboard on the Market Square.

The monthly Farmers Market will be held on Saturday 28th February from 9 am on the Square. Free parking is available on the Saffron Road car park and surrounding area and Rolton Engineering car park on Midland Road.

A coffee morning with stalls to browse will be held in the Bede House organised by St Mary’s Bellringers and a half hour organ recital given in Church at 11.30 am with free admission.

The annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday 17th March at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber. All residents are welcome and if anyone wishes to have an item included on the agenda, for discussion on 17th, then please contact the Town Hall by Tuesday 3rd March at latest.

Members of Higham Chichele Society meet at 9.30 am on Friday 27th February in the Green Dragon Hotel on College Street. The special guest will be Will Osborne talking about Autographs. Admission to the monthly meetings is £3 for visitors and further details available from Doreen Holyoak 01933 314157.

The next Town Council meeting will be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 24th February. There is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for members of the public to raise any issues with the council.

The Nene Valley Astronomical Society meet in Chelveston village hall on the third Monday of each month from 8 pm to 10 pm. The group also stargaze each Friday evening weather permitting. Visitors are most welcome at a charge of £2 and further information is available from Steve Williams 01933 650331 or see website www.neneastro.org.uk

A coffee morning, run by St Mary’s Church, is held in the Bede House from 9.30 am to 11.30 am each Thursday morning. A welcome is extended to all to visit and enjoy a warm drink of tea/coffee and biscuits and friendly chat.

An evening with the Fortunes supported by Bernie Keith and Johnny Red will be held at Rushden Town Bowls Club on Saturday 28th February from 8 pm. Organised by the Swivel Club tickets are available from the Club 312680 or the ticket hotline on 07738 080470.

The Higham/Rushden U3A meet at 2 pm on Wednesday 18th March in the Pemberton Centre Rushden. The special guest will be Derek Harris talking about life on the canals portrayed through songs and stories – Up the Cut. Visitors are most welcome at a charge of £2 to include refreshments. Membership of U3A gives access to over forty interest groups.

Rushden Classical Music Society meets from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm next Wednesday 25th February in the library on Midland Road. The special guest Muriel Richardson will present her choice of music. Visitors are always most welcome and further details are available from Judy Smith on 01933 391283.

St Mary’s Church services for this Sunday 22nd February : All Sorts at 9.15 am in the Bede House, Family Mass at 10.15 am followed by tea, coffee and biscuits and Junior Church/Footprints at 10.15 am in Church and the Bede House led by Debbie.

Family Mass will be held at 9 am at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Chelveston.

At the Hope Methodist Church – meeting in St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Hall Hayway - Morning Service will be at 10.45 am led by Mrs Elizabeth Bibbings. This will be followed by tea/coffee and biscuits.

Evening Service will be held at 6 pm in the Gospel Hall Milton Street to which all are welcome.

Lent courses are being held at St Mary’s on Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March at 7 pm in the Chantry Chapel. They will be led by Canon Richard Stainer – an Introduction to Christian Meditation and concluding with a Contemporary Mass.

Higham Footpath Group are going on a six mile circular walk in the Cogenhoe area on Sunday lst March.

They will be using a new footpath and the route will be from Cogenhoe to Denton and Brafield. Walkers are asked to meet at 9.25 am on the Saffron Road car park or 10 am near the Royal Oak pub in Cogenhoe. The group will be led by Will Lovell 01933 395174. See website: www.highamferrersfg.webspace.virginmedia.com/

In addition to the General Election being held on 7th May there will be local elections for Town Council members (16 – 8 in each ward) and East Northants representing Higham Ferrers (four members – two in each ward).

Our town is now divided into two wards for local elections – Chichele and Lancaster.

A mammoth Plant Sale and Coffee Morning will be held in the Bede House on Saturday 25th April – the same day as the Farmers Market - organised jointly by Church Fundraisers and St Mary’s Choir. The organisers would be grateful if local folk could perhaps sow a few extra seedlings this Spring to donate. Anyone who can help is asked to let Celia Ingram 358686 or Brian Behagg 318856 know that they will be producing extra plants.

St Mary’s Messy Church will be held next Tuesday 24th February from 3.30 to 5 pm in the Bede House and a warm invitation is extended to Junior school children and their families to attend. A variety of craft activities are offered and the youngsters will be given a buffet meal during the session. The cost is £1 per child and further details available from Debbie 01933 356257 or email: dsmithwilds@gmail.com

Copies of the February edition of Higham Times, a quarterly newsletter produced by the Town Council, are now available from the Town Hall and Library. The deadline for receipt of copy by the editor Maxine Newell for the next production is 8th May – send to: info@highamferrers-tc.gov.uk.

The Rotary Club of Rushden Chichele are selling tickets for the first night of Abigail’s Party at the Sharnbrook Mill Theatre on Monday 16th March at 7.30 pm. These are £10 each and available from Derek Harber 01933 624271. All proceeds will be given to the local Women’s Refuge.

The Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held in St Mary’s Church on Friday 6th March. This year the service comes from the Bahamas and a warm invitation is extended to all ladies to attend. The service will be followed by refreshments.

IRCHESTER

Girls who would like to be part of Irchester’s Gala Court have until 22 February to apply. The process is very simple. Message Irchester Gala Court on Facebook for an Entry form & parental permission - to be returned by 22nd February 2015 please.

The coffee morning, bring and buy and raffle recently held at the Methodist Church for the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Wear Something Red Day’ had marvellous village support and raised £337. The organiser, Judy Parker would like to thank all of her helpers and everyone who went along to make it such a success.

Irchester Library will be hosting a Coffee and Chat morning with the theme of Affordable Warmth on Monday 23 February at 10.30am. All are welcome.

This year Animals in Need is celebrating 25 years of rescuing and re-homing animals. To celebrate this amazing achievement they will be having having a huge party at Northampton Golf Club on 28 March 2015 at 7pm. £25 per ticket will gain you access to this exclusive event along with a 3 course meal, raffle, auction and disco. To purchase tickets or reserve a table please email admin@animals-in-need.org

The next meeting of Irchester Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 25 February at 7.15pm in the Village Hall.

IRTHLINGBOROUGH

The ‘Alpha Course’ will be running every Monday, starting Monday 2nd March 2015 at the Methodist Church, Church Street at 7.30pm.

‘Fat Weesel’ will be playing ‘maximum dad rock’ live at the British Arms on Friday 20th February 2015, Baker Street, Irthlingborough.

Has anyone any paintings by the following Kettering artists - Ralph Hartley, Nina Carroll/Steane or George Harrison? If so, would you be willing to loan them to All Saints Church, William Street, for their Art Exhibition on 6th & 7th June? This exhibition is being staged as part of KettFest2015 – a weekend of activities looking at Kettering’s rich history and heritage. In the first instance could you please call Derrick on 01536 482152 to discuss the subject of the painting and the approximate size.

A wide range of regular activities take place at Kettering Library, Sheep Street each week including

Wednesday morning at 10.30 (during term time only) – Spanish group for under 5’s Sunday afternoons from 1.30pm – “Snuggletime” – come and play with our toys or read a book with your grown up

Family History Session – the last Wednesday in the month from 2pm-4pm

Story Stomp for under 5’s – the last Thursday in the month at 11.45am

Knit ‘n’Chat – first Thursday of the month 2pm-4pm – new knitters and chatters always welcome. All the above activities are free of charge and of course it is free of charge to join the Library at any time. All welcome.

On Saturday 28 February at All Saints Community Hall, William Street an evening with Kane Taylor. ‘My Journey to Faith & Ministry from New Zealand to the UK.’ 7.30pm – 9pm . Entry £3 including light refreshments. Pay on the door. Raffle. On Thursday 26 February Kettering Pensioners Parliament meets at the Midland Band Club in the Music Room at 2.30pm. A chance to meet new friends and chat over a cup of tea. The speaker for the afternoon will be John Showers with a talk entitled ‘Wildlife on Camera’. New members always welcome – ladies and gentlemen. For more information contact Buddy Brigstock on 01536 501616.

If you haven’t taken up the challenge to Fire Walk on Red Hot Coals for Cransley Hospice on Friday 27 February contact the Fundraising Office on 01536 527407. A £25 deposit is payable to reserve your place and a fundraising pack will be posted to you and further details about the event.

On Saturday 28 February Kettering Arts Centre, Saint Andrew’s Church, Rockingham Road presents Threaded. Show starts 7.30pm. A unique instrumental line-up of clarinet, violin and guitar. Threaded creates a distinctive sound. With a classically trained background but a love for folk and acoustic music this young and inspired trio wanted to combine their passions into one musical experience. Also featuring popular local support acts. Tickets available from St. Andrew’s Church 01536 513858, Waterstones 01536 481575 or www.wegottickets.com/location/4560.

At the Lighthouse Theatre, on Friday 27 February at 7.30pm Psychic Sally on the Road. All seats £25. Groups 10+ save 10 per cent.

On Wednesday 25 February Jeremy Oetgen from Albion Archaeology will be giving a presentation about the Archaeology of Bedford River Valley Park from the Ice Age to the Twentieth Century at St. Andrew’s Church Rooms, Crown Street. This is a chance to view the total archaeology and history of a site not just a point in time. Organised by the Archaeological Research Society. Admission £4 members, £5 non-members. For more information contact Carol on 01536 420724 or carolannmorton@aol.co.uk.

On Saturday 28 February the Kettering Citadel Band of the Salvation Army are in concert at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer at 7pm. Tickets £6.50 adult, £3 child available from Helen on 01536 722901 or Sue on 01536 357676. Coffee/Tea will be served.

At the Lighthouse Theatre, Lake Avenue on Saturday 28 February Lakin McCarthy presents Down to Earth – an evening with Monty Don.

The renowned gardening writer and BBC television presenter speaks about his life and travels visiting gardens all over the world, what really happens behind the scenes when filming, about how he made his own organic garden from a bare field and how understanding and working with nature enriches and empowers us all. All seats £15. Call the box office on 01536 414141 or visit www.lighthousetheatre.co.uk.

At the Manor House Museum, Sheep Street on Wednesday 25 February 2.30pm – 4pm an Archaeological Finds Surgery. If you have found something in the ground that you think might be of archaeological interest please bring it along to this free session run by Northamptonshire’s Finds Liaison Officer Julie Cassidy. Please call in advance to check availability.

At the Alfred East Art Gallery, Sheep Street from 28 February through to 11 April Northampton Town & County Art Society Exhibition. This established art society now in the 101st year has a fine reputation for quality. A great selection of paintings, original print work and sculpture will be on show from some of the County’s leading professional artists. Rich variety of styles, techniques and subject matter – watercolour acrylic, pastel, oil and mixed media – something for everyone. Free admission.

If you would like to show your support for the Art Gallery & Museum in Kettering for a small annual subscription you will receive free evening talks, invitations to previews, local outings and a chance to get involved in the work of the museum and Art Gallery. Family membership with benefits for children is now offered. For more information contact the Chair of the Friends, John on 01536 518941 or pick up a membership form at the Museum or Art Gallery.

LITTLE HARROWDEN

The Lamb is looking for a Crib player to join the team every other Wednesday from September to May from 8pm. Pop in and see Adam or call if you would be interested. For any further details tel-01933 673300

Church services for Sunday 22nd-Lent 1 9.15am Holy Communion and Sunday School at Little Harrowden, 11.00am Family Service at Great Harrowden, 11.00am Holy Communion at Orlingbury.

Lent lunches will begin at Little Harrowden Church on Saturday February 21st at midday and continue weekly until Easter. Pop in and enjoy soup and a roll and raise money for charitable causes. The profit made each week will be sent to a charity nominated by those who have provided the lunch. Everyone is most welcome to go along.

Little Harrowden WMC -January Saturday entertainment. 21st Feb – Steve O’Connor, 28th Feb- Rik King. Country music with Robbo and his Posse every Wednesday. Bingo each Friday and Sunday. Raffles on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunch times plus Play Your Cards Right. For more details contact Colin on 01933 401464..

NEWTON BROMSWOLD

On Sunday 22nd February, a Holy Communion Service will be held at 10am at St. Peter’s Church, Newton Bromswold. All welcome.

Pete’s Pack, the Sunday school of St. Peter’s Church, will meet on Sunday 22nd February from 10am – 11am at St. Peter’s Church, Newton Bromswold.

Children aged 3 years and over will be most welcome.

Cowslip and Fritillary Day will be held on Easter Monday 6th April from 2pm to 4pm at St. Peter’s Church, Newton Bromswold. Plants for sale and Afternoon Teas.

On Sunday 1st March a Family Service will be held at 10am at St. Peter’s Church, Newton Bromswold. All welcome.

ORLINGBURY

Orlingbury Drama Group presents For One Night Only! A revue with a fish & chip supper to be held at Orlingbury Village Hall. Saturday 14th March from 7.30pm. Tickets £7.00 Licensed Bar. For tickets please call Gwen on 01933 678275

Church services for Sunday 22nd-Lent 1 9.15am Holy Communion and Sunday School at Little Harrowden, 11.00am Family Service at Great Harrowden, 11.00am Holy Communion at Orlingbury.

Weds 27th -9.15am Holy Communion at Little Harrowden.

Ooaps! The Joseph Manning Trust Orlingbury’s Group for the 60 plus, the next date is Thursday 5th March for more information ring Gillian on 401340 or Jan 400123

Orlingbury Art days with Claire Warner for 2015 -28th February Fresh flowers, 28th March reflections in the sand, 25th April English Market scene, 24th October Watermill in Autumn, 21st November seasonal pen and wash using winter colours. Learn to paint in watercolours and enjoy a special day. For further details contact Gillian on 01933 401340.

OAKLEY VALE

A meeting of the ‘Made In Corby’ arts consortium last Tuesday at Lodge Park asked for community led ‘Big Ideas’. I’m working very hard to see if Oakley Vale might contribute some projects. I have already had considerable local interest in a ‘Corby cinema week’ to coincide with the opening of our new multiplex, but would like to hear more - please get in touch. I’m also canvassing thoughts on a multicultural music, food & dance weekend at your Community Centre. Performance would be part of this but the central focus would be collaboration and exchange of ideas – community building through culture. Please let me have your ideas to feed back to the ‘Made In Corby’ big Ideas panel before April.

There will be a public exhibition in connection with the development on the land at the bottom of Bennett Road – a site originally on the Oakley Vale master plan to have been a ‘science park’. In the light of the changing economic climate this plan is now not thought viable and the developers would like to consult with residents of Oakley Vale about their ideas for another residential area with ‘local amenities’.

This consultation will take place over 2 days 24th and 25th February 2.30pm – 7pm on both days at Brooke Weston Academy. All are welcome. Additionally a website will soon be available – www.oakleyvale.com containing the details for you to view on-line and comment if you can’t make the 24th/25th.

On the basis of responses so far I will propose to the trustees that the second notice board at the Community Centre carry notices in any language submitted by local community groups subject to vetting for fair and legal content.

Please also report any suspicious activity around Oakley Vale to your local PCSO’s Lucasz Wojcik and Alex Franklin via the local police line 03000 111 222. Lennie your local warden can also be reached on 01536 464603 and neighbourhood.management@corby.gov.uk)

Alex Franklin continues his police surgeries in your community centre from 1100 to 1130 on Sundays once a month and plans to make this a regular opportunity for the community to discuss local Police matters one to one.

Your Oakley Vale Community Centre activities are advertised on the community notice board sponsored by the OVCA on Butland Rd. The OVCC website is www.oakleyvalecommunitycentre.org.uk which has more details and photographs and our link to the community is there on the news page. The centre also has an e-mail address theovcc@hotmail.co.uk and a telephone number 742054 so please address booking inquiries to this address.

Cllrs. Caine and Rahman’s first Saturday of the Month Surgeries will take place in our community centre – same time 10.30 – 12. No appointment necessary – all welcome – just drop in. Contacts judy.caine@corby.gov.uk mohammed.Rahman@corby.gov.uk, or via letter c/o CBC at the Cube.

Councillor Sims continues his surgeries also at Harpers Brook on the 3rd Saturday of each month 9.30-11.00am, no appointment necessary. His e-mail is david@oakleyvaleconservatives.co.uk

RAUNDS

The RSPB Mid-Nene Local Group will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary at the Saxon Hall at 7.30 p.m. today, Thursday, 19th February, with a special indoor meeting.

David Lindo will be giving an illustrated talk on ‘Birds in European Cities’, which will be followed by cheese and wine. The meeting is open to everyone, but is a ticket only event. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be obtained by calling Penny on 01933 350404.

Coffee will be served between 10 a.m. and 12 midday tomorrow, Friday, 20th February, at St. Peter’s Community Enterprise Centre. Everyone is welcome to call in. There will be a service of Morning Worship at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday, 22nd February, at St. Peter’s Church, Raunds. There will also be a service of Evensong at 6 p.m. at the church.

Holy Communion will be celebrated on Wednesday, 25th February, at 10 a.m. at All Hallows Church, Hargrave, with Home Communion at 10.45 a.m. at Ashfield House.

The Little Sunbeams will be back after the half-term break at St. Peter’s Church between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 24th February. If you are caring for a young child, you are very welcome to call in to meet other carers and their children.

If you are having problems using your computer, you can easily solve them at a drop-in computer class for the over 50s, organised by Serve, which will take place between 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. next Thursday, 26th February, at St. Peter’s Community Enterprise Centre. If you have a problem, just call in for more information. Admission is £3 for the two hour session.

Advance notice that Friday, 6th March, is the Women’s World Day of Prayer, and on that day there will be a service at 2.30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Community Enterprise Centre, with prayers for The Bahamas.

The Raunds Town Garage Sale will take place on Saturday, 18th April, from 8 a.m., where sales will be held at individual garages, drives or front gardens throughout Raunds. All proceeds will be used to improve the facilities of the St. Peter’s Community Enterprise Centre, (opposite SPAR).

If you would like to hold a sale, entry is £5 per address. Application forms are available from Raunds Post Office, and further information can be obtained by calling Peter on 01933 460259 or by emailing anniehuntingdon@gmail.com

RINGSTEAD

The Thursday Club meets in the Shared Church between 2.30pm and 4.00pm and on Thursday 19th February 2015 the topic will be ‘The History of Dodson & Horrell’.

Come and enjoy the company of friends, with tea and cakes. £1: per week for talks and activities.

For more information please contact; Peter and Angela on 01933 622316 or Paul on 01933 623844.

On Saturday 21st February 2015 there is a Pancake Morning at The Shared Church in Ringstead at 10.00am.

On Saturday 21st February 2015 the Ringstead Heritage Group is holding a Coffee Morning in Ringstead Village Hall between 10.00am & 12 noon. We would like to invite you along to our first coffee morning where we shall be displaying a number of old photographs and newspaper articles/clippings so that residents (past, those who have moved away, as well as present) to come along and help the group to document the history of the village. This heritage group will be planning regular events so that everybody in the village has an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing archive of material collected.

As there are 2 Coffee Mornings in Ringstead on Saturday 21st February 2015 the Shared Church has brought there Pancake Morning at 10.00am to Friday 20th February. All are very welcome

Sunday 22nd February 2015 is the First Sunday in Lent and there is a Big Sing Service in St. Mary’s Church in Ringstead at 9.30pm. Refreshments are served after the Service. All are very welcome to attend our services where you will be given a warm welcome.

On Sunday 22nd February 2015, The Shared Church in Ringstead services for this day is as follows: At 10.30am there is a Morning Service with Rev’d Ted Hale and at 4.00pm there is Messy Church for Families with Pastor Patrick Barker.

Cash Bingo takes place every Sunday from 8.20 pm at Ringstead Village Social Club. Play for the Line, Full House and accumulating

Snowball Prize. Nominal cost for the books and a friendly atmosphere guaranteed. Come along and join us.

New Horizons currently runs a Music and Movement class for the over 50’s in Ringstead Shared Church on Tuesdays between 10.00am and 11.00am, no need to book just turn up and pay as you go, all welcome.

For further information please call the New Horizons office on 01933 396382.

ROCKINGHAM

We have a number of events pencilled in for 2015 with final details of dates and times to be announced. In the planning stage we have: Petanque melee in June, our annual dog show in July, Flower Show in September, Bonfire Night on 5th November and Carol concert in December. We are also hoping to arrange car boot sales in the Summer along with a clay pigeon shoot and race night. If anyone has any helpful suggestions for fund raising activities they would be gratefully received as it is increasingly difficult to find new ideas to involve the whole community.

We are also very happy to announce that the Sondes Arms is to re-open some time in May with a complete refurbishment. This is long awaited after having been shut for over 18 months and we look forward to welcoming the new lease-holders to the village.

ROTHWELL

There were 21 reported crime incidents in Rothwell during December, the January meeting of Rothwell Town Council was told.

The council has invited the local police chief inspector to discuss further the reduction in the police officers covering Rothwell, with the town losing two PCSOs as well as the police officers previously moved.

Mrs Liz Chester, who recently retired as the School Crossing Patrol Operator, was presented with a Service to the Community Award at the January meeting of Rothwell Town Council. Mayor Roger Wilson said the council was grateful for her many years at this job, keeping children safe as they went to and from school.

He emphasised that it has always been a difficult and often dangerous job with the speed of the traffic in Rushton Road. Mrs Chester will be much missed.

Problems with the phones at Rothwell medical centre, Desborough Road are being monitored by Rothwell Town Council. At the January meeting, Cllr Ian Jelley said he had to wait 22 minutes to get an answer from their phone. Cllr Malcolm Jones had been advised that, for the time being, people should use the Desborough phone number as that for Rothwell is to be changed.

Cllr Jones has applied to become a member of the patients’ consultation group in the hope this should assist.

NHS England has confirmed the practice will be moving to a local number, although no date has been given.

Cllr Jelley also reported that the ‘doctor first’ system had stopped with patients now able to make an appointment for three weeks’ time.

Cost has ruled out the replacement lamps in the town centre being ‘heritage’ lighting. Northamptonshire County Council is finalising designs for Rothwell town centre and asked the town council if it would like heritage-style lighting, which could be provided at a cost.

The county council wishes to avoid attaching street lights to buildings but instead would be putting them on columns and, if heavy duty columns were required to support banners or festive decorations, again there would be a cost.

Prices for heritage street lights would be a total of £23,000 plus VAT to install as well as £960 plus VAT for maintenance and energy costs. The January meeting of the town council therefore agreed to have the standard lamps.

A beetle drive and a coffee morning are two events being held by the Desborough and Rothwell Trefoil Guild to help support Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers as well as Guiding events in the division that covers Rothwell.

The beetle drive, with bangers, beans and mash, is being held at 7.00pm on Saturday, March 21 at Desborough Community Centre, next to St Giles’s church, Lower Street.

Tickets, which cost £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for children, must be bought by March 18 from Elaine Diack at the pharmacy in Rothwell’s Bridge Street. Those attending are asked to bring a pencil, and a raffle will also be held.

The coffee morning will be held from 10.00am-12 noon in the Methodist church, Market Hill, Rothwell. Admission is free and attractions will include homemade produce, books, bric-a-brac and a tombola.

Forthcoming events at the Woolpack pub, Market Hill, Rothwell include: Monday, February 23, open mike night with Darryl and Jim from 9.00pm; Saturday, February 28, the Aiden Pryor band from 9.00pm.

It was an excellent week for Rothborough in the Kettering and District Table Tennis League, with all five teams victorious. Rothborough Arrows beat Harborough Rovers 9-1 with Helen Watts and Julian Marlow unbeaten in singles. Buccaneers’ star player was Tom Ravenscroft with a hat-trick in their 8-2 victory over Corby E.

Comets made no mistake against Harborough Imps with a 10-0 win.

Dakotas travelled to Kettering B and picked up a 9-1 victory as Peter Rowbotham and the returning Sean Smith secured trebles.

Print Heat 1 in the Desborough and Rothwell Photographic Society competition takes place at 7.30pm on Friday, February 20 at Marlow House, Gold Street, Desborough. The judge will be Malcolm Cook from Leicester.

On Friday, February 27, the society holds another of its digital

instruction evenings at the same venue but starting at 8.00pm.

On Saturday, February 28, the society takes part in the St Ives interprint competition in Cambridgeshire.

Visitors are always welcome, admission £1.50.

For more information, visit www.drpsphoto.co.uk, phone Geoff Oliver on 01536 505442 or go to Facebook.

County Councillor Jim Hakewill is making donations to the Scouts, Marlow House, the cycling club, the cricket club, the arts and heritage centre, the Guides, the Salvation Army, the twinning association and Holy Trinity church’s Sunbeams group under the county council’s empowering councillors scheme.

The next meeting of Rothwell United Reformed church’s Wednesday Fellowship takes place at Gloucester Court at 2.30pm on February 25.

There is no meeting tonight of Rothwell Ladies’ Thursday Club as it is half-term. The next meeting, on February 26, will be a visit to Newman’s beauty salon in Bridge Street.

A talk by Greta Palmer on an Indian Experience – she spent 20 years in India – and her life with elephants, takes place at Rothwell Arts and Heritage Centre on Friday, February 20.

RUSHDEN

Rushden SERVE – Door to door transport is provided at a cost of £5.00 for all trips – there is a lunch trip to The Old Friar, Twywell on Thursday 26th Feb. There are shopping trips to Seasons Garden Centre, Burton Latimer on Sunday 22nd Feb with Morrisons or Sainsburys on Monday 23rd Feb, to Billing Shopping and Lunch on Tuesday 24th Feb, to Imperial Court for curling and lunch (£12.00) on Wednesday 25th Feb, and Waitrose on Friday 27th. Further info on all this from Diane on 315555.

Rushden Historical Transport Society – meet on Tuesday February 24th at 8.00pm in the Conservative Club when Mike Beach will speak on ‘200 years of Grand Union Canal’.

The Children’s Society – are holding a Quiz and Ploughman’s Supper on Saturday Feb 28th in St Mary’s Church Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £6.00 from Mary on 315383.

Rushden Pensioners’ Forum – meet on Wednesday Feb 25th in St Peter’s Church Hall, Midland Rd when Sue Homer will speak on ‘Home Instead’ – care in the home for the elderly.

Rushden Classical Music Society – meet next Wednesday Feb 25th at 7.30pm in Higham Library when Muriel Richardson will present her programme of music.

!! Rushden Museum – invite you to their A G M next Thursday Feb 26th at 7.30pm in Rushden Hall with a talk by Jon-Paul Carr on ‘Food Glorious Food’, a look at the history of Eating, Shopping and Food Manufacture in Northamptonshire from 1837 until the present. For info please contact Gill Hollis on 314787.

The Salvation Army – Sunday Morning Service is at 10.00am with Evening Worship at 6.00pm both led by Major Richard Crowe.

Whitefriars’ Church – this Sunday’s Morning Worship with Holy Communion is at 10.15am. The Drop-In meets on Monday 23rd Feb in the Bridge from 9.00 to 10.30am – all welcome especially parents of school age children.

St Mary’s Church, Rushden – Services this Sunday are at 9.30am All Age Worship led by Sue Merrifield and Rev Taylor with Morning Prayer at 11.15am with Rev Taylor and Reader John Dixon. Evening Prayer is at 6.00pm with Don Merrifield and Rev Prior.

The Hope Methodist Church, at St Peter’s Catholic Church Hall – Service this Sunday is at 10.45am led by Mrs Elizabeth Bibbings. This will be followed by tea / coffee in the Hall.

Rushden Spiritualist Church – on Sunday the Service at 3.00pm is led by Barrie Field from Bedford. There will be an Open Circle on Wednesday 25th Feb at 7.30pm.

Heritage Church and Halls – Sunday’s Service is at 10.30am led by Michael Mabbutt, followed by refreshments. Saturday Feb 21st at 9.30am they hold ‘Happy Feet Coffee Morning’ with craft stalls etc in aid of Northamptonshire Society for the Blind.

St. Peter’s Church, Midland Rd – Family Service with Holy Communion is at 10.00am with the Venerable Gordon Steele, Archdeacon of Oakham. Knit and Chat Group meet on Wednesday Feb 18th at 10.00am in the Community Room.

Rushden Independent Wesleyan Church – Saturday Morning Coffee in the Church Hall is from 10.00am. Sunday Morning Family Service with children’s activities is at 10.45am with Evening Service at 6.00pm both led by Rev Phil Hearson. Ladies WA Meeting is next Thursday Feb 26th at 2.00pm features Old Tyme Music Hall with Margaret and Sue.

Rushden Mission Church – Morning Worship with the Music Group is at 10.45am with Traditional Evening Service at 5.30pm both led by Pastor Ian Fall. Coffee Stop is on Tuesday Feb 24th at 10.00am.

Highfield Community Baptist Church – have their Sunday Morning Life Link Service at 10.30am.

Rushden Rambling Club Tortoise Group – next meet on Monday Feb 23rd for a ‘Bedford Exploration’ – leave Duck St Car Park at 9.30am. leaders Derek and Jenny on 313385.

STANWICK

Saturday, 21st February, sees the welcome return to Stanwick Club of local group ‘Harkback’, who will be providing your evening entertainment with their rock, blues and pop covers from the 60s to the 90s.

Members and bona fide guests are welcome to attend, and new members are welcome. Ask at the bar for details or call 01933 622444.

Holy Communion will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Sunday, 22nd February, at St. Laurence Church, Stanwick. There will be a service of Evensong at 6 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Raunds.

There will be a service of Holy Communion at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 25th February, at All Hallows Church, Hargrave.

The monthly Local Producers and Farmers Market will take place at Stanwick Lakes between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, 22nd February.

This is an indoor market of local produce and other items, including artisan sausages, cheeses, game, spices, jewellery, flatbreads, knitted accessories, honey and much more.

Entry is free, but normal car parking charges apply.

A Needle Felting Craft Workshop will take place at Stanwick Lakes between 10.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. next Thursday, 26th February.

At this Craft Workshop you will learn the basic skills of needle felting and will be able to make an ideal gift for Mothering Sunday to take home. The cost of the workshop is £15, which includes all materials, although normal car parking charges will apply.

Stanwick Film Night is showing ‘Mr Turner’ on Monday, 2nd March, at the Old School, Stanwick. Tickets are now available at £5 each from the shop@stanwick on a first-come-first-served basis. The doors will open at 7 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. film showing.

Stanwick Film Night is a not-for-profit community initiative and is supported by The Old School, Stanwick; Nene Valley Community Action; East Northamptonshire District Council and Northamptonshire County Council.

For more information email stanwickfilmnight@hotmail.co.uk or call 01933 626595.

Bookings are now being taken for a new Self-Defence class, based on the Krav Maga method, which will take place on Saturday, 7th March in the Village Hall. Information flyers and leaflets are available from the Village Hall lobby. For more details please contact Markus by calling him on 07580 802 544 or by email at mjcp@hotmail.com

A Family Slab Pot workshop, with Lisa Igo, will take place in the Discovery Zone at Stanwick Lakes between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, 7th March.

Adults and accompanied children are welcome. In this first session you will make your pot from clay, and in the second session on Saturday, 21st March, you will decorate your pot with coloured glazes.

The cost of the two day course is £20, and to book your place please call Lisa on 07809 205 273. Normal car parking charges apply.

Number 22 was drawn as the bonus ball in the Lotto on Saturday, 7th February, which makes me very happy, as I was the winner of the weekly £30 prize with St. Laurence Church’s 49 Club!

WELDON

Friday 6th arch is Women’s day of Prayer and this year in Weldon a service will be held in the Congregational Church at 7.00pm. All women are welcome to attend

Date for your Diary It is hoped that on Saturday 23rd May there will be a garage/ Stall sale in the village. Clear your clutter and raise money from the comfort of your own garage or front garden Sell all your unwanted items If you are interested in taking part or to find out more contact Alison Caswell on 01536 268526 or alli@centarbv.co.uk. A stall will cost you £5.00 and in aids of St Marys Church Weldon.

Weldon Women’s Institute held their most recent meeting on Tuesday 10th February in the village Hall. 22 members were welcomed to the meeting by Penny Tighe. Tables were set out all with a Valentine theme with red table cloths and red flowers. After the monthly business members were asked to complete the final 2 lines of limericks This resulted in much laughter. Liz Boswell gave an account of her life on the Orkney Isles were she and her late husband Bill lived for a number of years. It was very detailed and made one wish they were there. How the island was very self-coefficient and every one was so friendly and helped each other in happy times and troubled. Many questions were asked and Liz was thanked by Penny and received a round of applause. There was a competition for a Homemade Valentine Card with the first place going to Carol Stevens entry followed in second place by Penny Tighes card. Refreshments were prepared and served by Jean Freeman and Marlene Hurst. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 10th March in the village hall at 7.15pm when the entertainment will be by Rosemary and Michael Leonard with Songs from the Musicals. New members and visitors are welcome to attend.

Now that Lent is here it is time to think about the Easter Lilies for the Church. If you are interested in subscribing to this in memory of a departed loved one and having their name read out at the Eater Service at St Marys Church please place you donation in an envelope marked with the name of your loved one and pass it on to Sandra Whitlam as soon as possible.

Church Services at St Marys on Sunday 22 February will be 8.00am Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer. 9.30am Word of the Book.

WELLINGBOROUGH

Wellingborough & District Garden Club next meeting will be held on tonight Thursday 19th February at 7.30pm at Salem Hall, Salem Lane, Wellingborough NN8 4JT, And attendees will welcome Bryan King with a slide show entitled ‘A Nature Watchers Year’ Please feel free to attend all welcome.

Wellingborough Central Townswomans Guild’s meeting is February 19th with George Whittaker, with a talk on the aspects of hunting along with a video. If anybody is interested please come and see us we would be delighted to meet you. Contact Sheila Lloyd. 01933 673408.

The selection of the new Carnival Court will be at the museum on March 6th.

If you are thinking of taking part, google ‘Wellingborough Carnival’ for an application form.

Tea at Two - Every second Tuesday of the month from 2pm till 4pm, please come along to the All Saint Church Hall for a Cup of Tea/Coffee and a cake and a nice chat. Contact Fred Raitt on 01933 677988 for further information.

Wellingborough Civic Society meeting Tonight

On February 19th 2015 The Civic Society at the Museum and welcome Alan Pack with his presentation of The History of Irthlingborough Iron Ore Mines. As Always the evening begins at 7.30pm and there is a charge of £2 each for non members and £1 for members. which includes light refreshments.

Wellingborough Museum. The Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust will present two more matinee film shows for children accompanied by an adult. These are free and will be held on Saturday February 21st at the Museum at 11am and repeated at 2pm. Old Films on Old Projectors. Adults are very welcome to come along to see the Antique Projectionist equipment and old projectors The Trust Members will be able to tell you all about them.

The Museum’s Trench Experience tours are held every Saturday but do call to check there is room on 01933276838. Tickets/entrance to the experience cost £3.50 each or £10 for a Family ticket and start at 2pm.

Northamptonshire Family History Society next genealogy Surgeries at the museum will next take place on Saturday February 21st at 10 until 1pm and Their advice is free.

The United Reformed, Church, High Street, Wellingborough, invite you to their annual Jumble Sale in Salem Hall, Salem Lane, on Saturday, 21 February 2015 between 10.30am and 12noon. Admission is 20p. Refreshments available. Usual good quality bargains.

The Wellingborough Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is sponsoring free school places for 7-11 year olds across the Borough of Wellingborough to attend specially designed ‘Evolution of Wellingborough’ training days (10am to 3pm) led by the living history team at the Wellingborough Museum. It is hoped that all schools in the Borough will take advantage of this initiative. This offer will run until 31st October 2015.

This is on offer only to schools in the Borough of Wellingborough and tailored to meet the needs of KS2 History Curriculum. For more information and to book your session, please contact the Wellingborough Museum. Aspects include a Roman re-enactor, medieval times, Victorian times to WW2, changes in the townscape, and the WWI trench experience. Maximum 60 children from your school for the free day. Mention this to your school today and see if you can get some of the places.

Now Glamis Hall Goldsmith Road Queensway has been handed to the community to manage please call in during the daytime if you have any spare time at all because they have many volunteering opportunities for people of all ages. Your help on a regular basis would be very welcome.

Also if you have any items suitable for raffle or tombolas or fundraising that Glamis hall could have and use please call in and talk to the people running this wonderful new project. Many hands make light work and what may be unwanted by you maybe just what someone else would like to buy or win.

St Barnabas Church. Please contact the church on 678137 if you would like a stall at the Forthcoming Spring Fayre which will be held on Saturday 28th March 10am till noon in the Church Hall. The Next Messy Church at St Barnabas will be on Saturday 21st March 4pm till 6pm. Information about services etc can be found by asking for a Church Magazine which is a jolly good read.

With a huge cast of 44 Wellingborough Operatic performing South Pacific at the Castle, Wellingborough 10th to 14th March. The show is set on a South Sea Island - occupied by Americans during World War 11. Nellie Forbush - played by Hannah Taylor - a young navy nurse - meets and falls in love with Emile de Beque, a charming older French Plantation owner - played by Brett Hanson - who has lived on the Island for 25 years. Also stationed on the Island are Sailors, Seabees and marines. Lieutenant Cable - a handsome marine - played by Mark Hanson - arrives on the Island and meets Bloody Mary, a local Tonkenese who trades in anything from grass skirts to shrunken heads - played by Johanna Beech. She introducessss Lt. Cable to her daughter Liat - played by Jasmin Bayes. Book now and see how the story unfolds... Music by Richard Rodgers and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein. Numbers include There’s Nothing Like A Dame, Some Enchanted Evening, Bali Ha’i, I’m In Love With A Wonderful Guy and more.

If you have any news you would like entering in the spring edition of the Wilbarston Chronicle which is due out in early March, please submit all articles to Lawrence Dale or Janet Mackintosh email janet.mackintosh@btinternet.com by tomorrow Friday 20th February.

The Christingle Service held in Wilbarston church on 14th December

raised £209.83 in aid of the Childrens Society.

Last years Christmas Greetings without cards raised a total of £490 towards Church funds.

On Saturday 28th February in neighbouring Stoke Albany Village Hall

you can enjoy a Traditional British Treat. Afternoon Tea & a Glass of Fizz,

at The Albany Ritz. Tickets are £8 per head and can be purchased by calling

Lynne on 01858 535226, or 07906 176924.

There will be an Evening Service at All Saints Church this Sunday 22nd February at 6pm.

WOODFORD

The Church is launching a new venture on Sunday March 1st,St Mary’s Church Woodford invites you to join them for Cafe’ Church.Coffee/ Tea and refreshments in the school hall from 10:30-11:30,for food fun and friend.It isn’t a cafe’ (it is free)and it isn’t a Church.

It is for everyone, families and those living in their own they would love to see you and get to know you.So new residents and those who have lived here all their lives a chance to chat and have fun. It will be held on the first Sunday of every month.

There is a 80’s theme Disco at the Woodford Sports and Social Complex Highfield Woodford on Friday February 20th from 8 till late.There is a prize for the best dressed 80s theme. For details log on to woodfordwmc@hotmail.uk.

The 3pm service at the Chapel on Sunday February 22nd will be led by the Rev Thorne.